For Kie McNabb, golf is more than a sport. It is the place she turns to for balance, joy, and connection, even while leading a demanding career in healthcare.
Kie grew up in Washington State, where her introduction to golf was a bit unconventional. During her junior year of high school, she was recruited to help form a golf team even though she had never played before. With the encouragement of her basketball teammates, she picked up the game and quickly fell in love with its challenges. “I loved that there was always room to improve,” she said. “And the best part was that I didn’t need a team to play. I could enjoy the game on my own for as long as I was able.”
After high school, life carried Kie to Louisiana, where she built a career in healthcare and raised a family. Today, she serves as Chief Nursing Officer at Beauregard
Health System, a 49-bed rural hospital where her responsibilities cover everything from nursing operations to risk management and regulatory compliance. Her days start early, often before sunrise, and extend into the evening. Healthcare leadership, she admits, is a 24/7 role.
The intensity of that work makes golf even more important. A few years ago, after recognizing signs of burnout, Kie made a conscious effort to reclaim time for herself. “It was a wake-up call,” she shared. “I had been working too much, isolating, and even stepping away from golf. I realized I needed to make changes. Spending time with my family, friends, and being on the course brings me joy, so I began setting boundaries and protecting that time.”
Golf has rewarded that commitment with some unforgettable moments. In 2008, she won the Louisiana Women’s Amateur Championship at Koasati Pines, beginning her championship match with eagle, birdie, birdie. “I still drive to Kinder to practice when I’m preparing for a tournament,” she said.
Equally important to Kie are the friendships and competition she has found in LGA Women’s Championships. “Being around other women who feel the same way about golf keeps me sharp,” she said. “Players like Julie, Kay, and Shannon inspire me to work on my game, and I always enjoy meeting new people at LGA events.”
This summer, she traveled to Chicago to compete in the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur qualifier at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club. A summer storm forced the closure of nine holes during the practice round and required competitors to walk the hills, but the staff had the course in excellent shape for the event. Kie finished as the first alternate, keeping alive the possibility of joining fellow Louisiana players at the national championship in Virginia.
Through every season of life, golf has been Kie’s outlet, her source of perspective, and her reminder to stay present. “On the course I focus on the next shot, and that same mindset helps me at work and at home,” she explained. “It gives me time with my husband, but it’s also something I can enjoy alone in solitude.”
Her advice to other women, especially those balancing demanding careers, is simple. “Make time for the thing that makes you happiest. It won’t schedule itself.”
For Kie, that thing has always been golf.